Jet aborts Philly takeoff when nose gear fails

Mar. 14, 2014
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The nose gear of a US Airways jet collapsed March 13 at Philadelphia International Airport when the front tire blew as the jet was about to take off for Fort Lauderdale. No one was hurt. / Matt Slocum, AP

by Michael Winter and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Passengers on a US Airways jet that aborted its takeoff Thursday in Philadelphia after the nose gear failed were booked on other flights that night, the airline said.

Flight 1702 had been headed to Fort Lauderdale when the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m.

"We started skidding down the runway. People were screaming and crying. It was quite harrowing," Dennis Fee told WTVJ-TV.

Another passenger said the emergency was over quickly.

"All of a sudden, we slammed back into the runway and bounced, and we go up a little more, and we slam again. It happened very quickly, so we didn't know exactly what was going on," Larry Grant said.

One photo posted on Twitter showed passengers being evacuated on the jet's emergency slides.

All 149 passengers and five crewmembers were evacuated safely from the Airbus A320, and no major injuries were reported.

"Our crew safely evacuated all passengers, and two customers requested medical assistance," said Todd Lehmacher, spokesman for the airline that has become part of American Airlines. "The customers were transported to a local hospital, evaluated and released."

He said the airline is cooperating in the investigation with the airport, local and federal authorities to determine what happened. He declined further comment because of the investigation.

The nose gear collapsed on the runway at 6:25 p.m., according to the airline. The flight had been scheduled to leave at 6:05 p.m.

"We believe the tire blew, causing the nose gear to collapse, while it was moving down the runway," said Victoria Lupica, spokeswoman for Philadelphia International Airport.